ankle biter
noun · casual
A small child.
How Aussies use it
- The park was full of ankle biters on Saturday.
- She's got three ankle biters at home.
How to pronounce ‘ankle biter’
Say it like this: ANG-kul BY-ter
‘ankle biter’ in a conversation
Ben: How was your weekend?
Lucy: Busy! The ankle biters had two birthday parties.
Good to know
Used in a friendly, joking way by parents and grandparents about young children.
Where you'll hear ‘ankle biter’
You'll hear 'ankle biter' from parents, grandparents and friends talking about small children in a fun way. It's common at barbecues, in parks and in family chats, for example 'How are the ankle biters?'
How to reply or use it yourself
If someone asks 'How are the ankle biters?', they're asking about your young kids, so you can say 'Growing fast, thanks!' Use it only in friendly, casual chats, not at work.
More examples
- The playground was packed with ankle biters this morning.
- We're taking the ankle biters to the zoo on Sunday.
- Our neighbour's ankle biter rides a tiny bike up and down the street.
A common mistake
It's affectionate, but use 'children' or 'kids' at work and in writing.
Saying it more formally
In a formal email, essay or the PTE test, use young child instead.
Slang is great for chatting with friends and workmates, but keep it out of PTE essays and formal writing.
Fill the gap
Which word goes in the gap?
How old are your ___ ___ now?
Show the answer
ankle biters
Quick check
What does ‘ankle biter’ mean?
- A bottle shop, the shop that sells alcohol.
- To take a day off work saying you're sick when you're not.
- A small child.
Show the answer
C. A small child.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'ankle biter' mean in Australia?
A small child. Used in a friendly, joking way by parents and grandparents about young children.
Can I say 'ankle biter' at work?
With workmates, yes. 'ankle biter' is fine in a chat at smoko or a casual message, but don't use it with clients, in formal emails, or in the PTE and IELTS writing tests.
How do you pronounce 'ankle biter'?
Say it like this: ANG-kul BY-ter. Press 'Hear it' on this page to listen.
When do Australians say 'ankle biter'?
You'll hear 'ankle biter' from parents, grandparents and friends talking about small children in a fun way. It's common at barbecues, in parks and in family chats, for example 'How are the ankle biters?'